Fighting back tears she said: "All I know is when you lose a child, your heart is literally ripped out.

"Grieving the loss of your child is the hardest work I will ever have to do. It is a war I will never be able to finish fighting - a peak I will never be able to climb.

"Jay's heart was so big they stabbed him in it - they couldn't miss it."

Redman was found guilty of murder last month following a 12-week trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

The unemployed thug attacked student Jay at a party in Colchester, Essex, in September 2012.

Around 100 youngsters attended the gathering after it was advertised on social networking sites Facebook and Twitter.

PA

Hero Jay Whiston 17, of Clacton, Essex, who was murdered after sticking up for a friend

The party spiralled out of control after dozens of uninvited guests arrived.

The jury heard how Redman and his friends "spread an air of fear" at the party while bragging about being "tooled up" - implying they were carrying knives.

Jay stepped in when the gang punched one of his friends after they had attempted to steal his alcohol.

Redman stabbed him once before following him out on to the street and delivering a second devastating wound.

Jay, from Clacton, Essex, collapsed and was rushed to hospital where he was declared dead.

Alongside Redman in the dock today were his dad Gary, 52, his brother John, 20, and his former girlfriend Shannon Fenlon, 19.

The trio were all found guilty of conspiring to pervert the course of justice following the lengthy trial.

Gary was handed two years in prison for his involvement and his son John was also sentenced to two years.

Nursery assistant Miss Fenlon was sentenced to nine months.

Speaking after the sentencing, Chris McCann from the CPS East of England, said: "This is a case where, as every parent fears, a party got out of hand with tragic consequences for Jay Whiston and his family.

"More than 100 people turned up - many of them uninvited - among them Edward Redman and his friends.

"They brought an air of unpleasantness, intimidation and menace with them which tragically ended in Jay's death after he told Redman they didn't want any trouble.

"Sadly, that is exactly what happened as Redman took offence and stabbed him."